Horses

Horse – Drawn Carriages in Bali

Every year, nearly 3.8 million tourists visit the beautiful island of Bali. Many of them visit attractions and participate in activities that fuel immense animal suffering. When holidaying in Bali, please choose the places you visit and support with caution.
In Bali and on nearby islands, horse-drawn carriages are seen as tourist attractions. However, what might seem like harmless entertainment is a harsh reality for the horses. They suffer daily exposure to noise and pollution, heavy traffic, hard pavements, hot sun, long hours and constant heavy loads. They don’t have access to pasture and often have inadequate food, water and medication.

What You Should Know

Tourist horses are often badly overworked in environmentally taxing conditions. They work in the heat of the day on busy and polluted streets.

Dehydration and Exhaustion: Throughout the long working day, the animals have little access to food, water or proper rest, resulting in dehydration and exhaustion.

Pollution: Carriage horses spend much of their day breathing exhaust fumes from cars and scooters directly in front of them. Even when not pulling carriages, the horses often are kept on the streets with no opportunity to escape the fumes.

Many horses constantly stand on concrete: Long hours pounding on hard roadway surfaces can damage hooves, causing pain with every step.

Horses are highly social animals but those used for tourism usually live in isolation with little opportunity to socialise.

What can you do?

RESEARCH the conditions of the horses before you pay for a ride

EXPRESS CONCERNS to the horse owner or operator if you think a horse is being abused or is suffering

GET EVIDENCE. If you see someone abusing a horse, please take a photo or short film to send to BAWA. If you see a sick animal please take a photo and carefully document the location. Get as much information from the horse handler as possible so we can find the horse.

REPORT any abuse of horses that you witness to BAWA and your tour operator

BAWA understands that the horses’ owners often rely on them to make a living and strives to educate owners on how to better care for their animals.